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Elise Niemeyer's picture

Connecting

Morality as a motivation for human interaction is a major part of this novel.  As Forster creates interlocking situations the reader is asked to question the moral problems within them, the relationship between the Schlegels and Leonard Bast, Mr. Wilcox’s relationship with Margaret, Helen’s relationship with Paul, etc.  I do think that Forster is suggesting that moral clarity can only be achieved through connecting, not between two individuals, but within oneself.  On Thursday, in Professor Grobstein’s group, we discussed connecting the prose and the passion as a beneficial step, one that many of these characters refuse to make.  While Forster may not be saying that people more associated with prose or passion are superior, just as the merits of intellectuals and practicals are mixed, he may be suggesting that a connection between the two is important.  This idea makes me think of the scene in which Charles and Mr. Wilcox are dealing with Mrs. Wilcox’s last request.  In this extremely emotional situation, they are described as almost brutal in their reduction of the issue to its parts.  It is “disposed of … item by item, sharply” (102).  Through this depiction, it seems that Forster is highlighting the morally inferior position that results from compartmentalizing elements of an emotionally complex situation.  Surely, it is better to connect practicality and emotion, to see life both whole and steady, than to break everything up into discrete and meaningless units.  
Elise

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